Cook’s SAFE Act bolsters school funding in soda ash-producing communities

U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) on Nov. 5 proposed legislation to require that royalties derived from the production of sodium compounds and related products be disbursed both to the state in which production occurred and to the U.S. Department of Education for educational grants.

While a recent reduction in royalty rates on soda ash by the federal government has helped U.S. producers remain competitive in foreign markets and protect mining jobs, a portion of these royalties also provides funding for local schools and road maintenance in communities where soda ash is produced, leaving impacted schools facing uncertainty about future funding, according to information provided by Rep. Cook’s office.

In turn, Rep. Cook sponsored the Soda Ash Funding for Education (SAFE) Act, H.R. 8728, which would redirect federal funds to establish a Soda Ash Education Equalization Fund to provide grants to local schools that could be impacted by these changes.

“While it’s important to keep the industry competitive, it’s also critical to ensure that our schools are getting the funding they need,” Rep. Cook said. “This bill will prevent unnecessary education funding cuts in communities like Trona, while also providing the school board with the stability they need to make sound budget decisions in the years to come.”

H.R. 8728 — which garnered support from the Trona (Calif.) Joint Unified School District and Trona-based soda ash manufacturer Searles Valley Minerals — has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.